The line came from a critical review of 'Fox & Friends.'

Fox News found a phrase it liked in a scathing New York Times review of the morning show Fox & Friends and promoted it in three prominent newspapers on Thursday.

In a July 19 column, TV critic James Poniewozik wrote, referring to President Donald Trump: "Suddenly, for no other reason than its No. 1 fan, it is the most powerful TV show in America."

Fox News placed full-page advertisements in the Times, The Wall Street Journal and the New York Post attributing to the Times the partial quote about how Fox & Friends is "the most powerful TV show in America."

The show's co-hosts celebrated the ad on Thursday morning's show, holding up a copy of the Times for viewers to see. "This program, the program you are watching, is, according to The New York Times, the most powerful TV show in America," Steve Doocy said.

Poniewozik, in the review, compared the show to popular children's programs that invite audience participation, and said that "President Trump is the show's subject, its programmer, its publicist and its virtual fourth host."

In a earnings call Thursday morning, New York Times Co. chief executive Mark Thompson said he welcomed the advertisement.

"Fox & Friends has got a full-page ad in the physical New York Times today," he told analysts. "So, they decided to move upmarket and support our journalism with their money. So, we're very pleased to have them."

President Trump got in on the action early Thursday, tweeting: "Wow, the Failing @nytimes said about @foxandfriends "....the most powerful T.V. show in America."